Voices of the veterans are heard at popular Braintree Elks cookout

They’re all veterans, men and women, with different ages, experiences and outlooks. And all are trying to rebuild their lives. They gathered Saturday at the Braintree Elks Lodge, the sound of music and smell of grilled meat filling the steamy air....

By Sue Scheible

The Patriot Ledger, Quincy, MA

By Sue Scheible

Posted Aug. 3, 2009 at 12:01 AM
Updated Aug 3, 2009 at 3:15 AM

By Sue Scheible

Posted Aug. 3, 2009 at 12:01 AM
Updated Aug 3, 2009 at 3:15 AM

BRAINTREE

» Social News

They’re all veterans, men and women, with different ages, experiences and outlooks. And all are trying to rebuild their lives.

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That struggle, and the pride they feel in their military service, bonds them.

They gathered Saturday at the Braintree Elks Lodge, the sound of music and smell of grilled meat filling the steamy air. Nearly 150 veterans went to the cookout from VA medical centers and shelters in Boston and Brockton.

For a day, at least, it was all sunshine. But thoughts of what they’ve gone through, and still deal with, were never far behind.

“I had a line of guys this morning who said, ‘Take me along,’” says Joanie Lynch, recreation specialist at the Brockton VA Hospital.

GREGORY ERRICO, 40

Errico has done well in Veterans Upward Bound, a program that helps former military personnel get a college education. Precocious as a child but torn by family problems, Errico ran into difficulties and enlisted in the Army from 1988 to 1990.

“I loved the Army, I loved the discipline,” he says.

But Errico said he suffered from mental illness. It’s taken time and support to pull things together, he said.

Through the Upward Bound program at UMass-Boston, he earned his bachelor’s degree in anthropology and is studying now for his master’s in human services. Next, he hopes to find work in that field or go on for a doctorate in public policy.

LEEANN CUTICCHIA, 41

Talk with her, and Cuticchia seems to have everything under control. But she recently found herself homeless.

An Army veteran, she showed up at the shelter at 17 Court St. in Boston, where she was welcome and pulled to safety.

“There are a lot of opportunities for veterans,” said Cuticchia. “We all have our individual stories and it is great to see people wanting us to still succeed in our goals in life.”

Page 2 of 2 - Her dream: to enlist in the Air Force and become part of the branch’s legal office.

EDWARD ROOD, 56

Approachable, walking with a cane, Rood was in the Navy in the 1970s and once had a family and a business as a painter.

But problems with alcohol changed all that.

He’s now at the New England Center for Homeless Veterans in Boston, a place he calls “my safety net,” for the fourth time. With counseling, by taking on responsibilities at the shelter, and acquiring job skills, he is hopeful for the future.

“I’m three years clean. I’m doing good,” he said.

MICHAEL WATKINS, 45

Outgoing and smiling, Watkins is homeless and lives in a shelter in Jamaica Plain. He was in the Army, stationed in Germany from 1988 to 1992, and stayed in Europe afterwards until coming home in 2003.

Admitting he made some “bad decisions,” his life since then has been “up and down.”

But now, Watkins says, he’s back on track. And he adds that this cookout helps – more than just the chance to eat good food.

“It’s absolutely fantastic, that people take time out to honor the veterans who served, whether they were in combat or not,” he said. “It makes me feel appreciated for what I did and is inspiration to move on in life.”